Chronographed a ten shot string of Underwood’s 158 gr “Hard Cast Keith” 38 Special +P
Firearm: Ruger 4 5/8 in Blackhawk
Load: Underwood 158 gr “Hard Cast Keith” SWC 38 Special +P (#734, advertised 1,250 fps)
10 shots:
Hi 1249 fps
Lo 1235 fps
Avg 1241 fps
ES 14
SD 4
Notes: I was amazed at the consistency (checkout the ES/SDs) and power of this 38 Spl +P. Hats off to Underwood for an excellent load. This load rivals my standard 357 Magnum load using 2400 but Underwood is at 38 Spl +P pressures! I will not even try to duplicate Underwood’s 38 Spl +P load. It’s velocity as far as I’m concerned can only be duplicated using 357 Magnum cases and the appropriate magnum level powders…but then you would have a 357 Magnum and not 38 Spl +P!
Underwood, and Buffalo Bore for that matter, must have some very talented ballisticians to develop powder formulas to meet these velocities within SAAMI specs. Here is pic of the Underwood box and ammo sample (sorry for its upside down orientation, doesn’t show up that way in my photo log)